Recommended by Paula

I didn’t know you could describe a horror book as beautiful... but here I am saying that this book was beautiful.

READ FOR: gothic old mansion with a name vibes, emotional story, interesting family dynamics, thought provoking ideas, emotional subplot and writing

— overall thoughts: 3.5 —
⇢ content warnings//

Spoiler

Attempted rape, Cannibalism, Child birth, Drugging, Eugenics, Fire, Forced marriage, Gore, Hallucinations, Incest, Mind control, Miscarriage (mentioned), Murder (including babies), Racism, Suicide, Vivisepulture

⇢ representation: Latinx MC

“Books, moonlight, melodrama.”

The writing kept me anticipating where the story would lead to and Naomi is one of the most sensible female main characters I have ever read. I love that she is written as a free-spirited, clever and educated woman that actually listens to me when I scream at her what to do. And relatable! Let’s not forget that.

Her relationships with every character is just so well explored and it was easy to feel attached to them... even the ones with questionable... ideals.

I read this in the middle of watching haunting of bly manor on netflix with friends so I was in the perfect mood for a haunted house story. But this book was so much more than that and the atmosphere was SPOT. ON.

Truly a perfect October spooky (is it spooky?) and atmospheric read.

I’m also going to mention that the plot began in a ballroom and I was enjoying myself so much.

I didn’t know this was a horror before adding it to my tbr to be honest, i just realized that it was when I started seeing it on so many horror recommendations so I didn’t get the chance to be intimidated by the horror aspect. I’m glad that we have gotten over the era wherein horror books were always in that gothic handwriting font with a beaten down house in the background.

“Any place is made for love... Wood, glass and a roof do not constitute a home.”

It discusses themes on family, how far you would go for the people you love and what you would do to uphold you ideals. Especially what it means to have a home. It takes all of these concepts and makes them concrete to the point that it’s just weird and creepy. Which is where the horror aspect comes in.

I make it sound so dreamy and while it’s all that, there were still a number of times I got chills. I had to pause, imagine it, and then move on.

The romance was unnecessary to me and I'm going to be honest that it didn't really sell me. I think that the story might have been better without it.

If you’re into gothic stories you’re definitely gonna fall in love with this one. And even if you aren’t, there are still so many things to love, the mystery being one of them. I have really not read too many horror books but I’ve really been loving the ones that I have read recently.

Now excuse me because I just NEED to read [b:Gods of Jade and Shadow|36510722|Gods of Jade and Shadow|Silvia Moreno-Garcia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543268579l/36510722._SY75_.jpg|58230232] because I am craving for more of this writing. That last paragraph? Perfect. Though the twist was a bit disturbing.

“Once upon a time, there was a princess in a tower. Once upon a time a prince saved the girl from the tower. Naomi sat on the bed and contemplated the notion of enchantments that are never broken.”